MK Stalin Flags “Humanitarian Crisis” From US Tariffs, Urges PM Modi to Act
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urgently intervene following the United States’ imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, warning of irreparable economic and humanitarian damage to the State’s export-driven sectors.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin said the tariffs—comprising a 25 per cent levy on Indian imports plus an additional 25 per cent linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil—have triggered an escalating crisis, particularly in textiles, apparel, leather, and footwear, sectors in which Tamil Nadu plays a dominant national role.
Tamil Nadu accounts for 28 per cent of India’s textile exports and around 40 per cent of leather and footwear exports, collectively employing over 85 lakh workers. Stalin warned that the crisis has moved beyond trade losses and is now threatening livelihoods at scale.
Highlighting the impact on Tiruppur, the Knitwear Capital of India, he said exporters have suffered a wipeout of ₹15,000 crore in confirmed orders, with production cuts of up to 30 per cent. Combined daily revenue losses across Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Erode, and Karur are estimated at ₹60 crore, pushing many MSMEs toward collapse.
Similar distress is being reported in footwear clusters in Vellore, Ranipet, and Tirupatthur, where exporters are offering deep discounts to retain buyers, sharply eroding margins and long-term viability.
Stalin also cautioned that international buyers are diverting orders to competing countries such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, which currently enjoy tariff advantages. Once lost, he warned, these markets would be extremely difficult to regain due to entrenched global supply chains.
Calling for swift diplomatic intervention, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to resolve the issue through a bilateral agreement with the United States, stressing that timely action is critical to protecting jobs and preserving India’s reputation as a reliable global manufacturing hub.
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